A Chinese Garden - Gallery

Main Entrance into the Chinese Garden

Photo 5. I love little bridges over ponds and streams in these kinds of gardens. | Source

Photo 6 | Source

Photo 7 | Source

Photo 8 | Source

Photo 9 | Source

Chinese Gardens

Learning more about Chinese gardens has been a joy and there is a lot for a gardener like myself to learn from them. In the past, I had been more familiar with Japanese gardens and gardening, which I also love very much. So the change of pace was nice and one I welcomed.

Chinese Garden Design

For instance, I learned that in a private Chinese garden, one wants to build around he current lay of the land. Its best to stick with that, as oppose to changing things up. I think this makes a lot of sense, in the case of weather and erosion over time, etc. It is said that a true Chinese gardener would never change the configuration of a gardening site. The goal would be to retain the natural charm of the land and build around it.

Another neat aspect was to divide sometimes very small portions of land into very beautiful scenic areas. You don't need much area to achieve a very beautiful garden. In the photos I share here, this is also the case. The area is really not that large compared to many other gardens I have been to. They make incredible use of a small area.

They incorporate one of my other favorite gardening aspects as well, and that is curving paths. They intend for you to arrive at each part of the garden in sequence. You kind of view it as you go, enjoy something new around every corner.

They incorporate a lot of contrast into their gardening, and also make great use of the seasons in a given area.

I have gathered some photos here to share with you, along with my thoughts of what it was like to experience being in the Chinese garden on multiple occasions.

Chinese Garden Photo Tour

Photo 1 - I love the main entrance into this Chinese Garden, its just lovely. The two lions or creature statues welcome you (or warn you, I don't know for sure!) as you walk up the lovely curvy path. The circular entrance is one of my favorite features, and so it is in a lot of my photos.

Photos 2 & 3 - These feature the beautiful garden pagoda in the garden. It is large and very detailed the closer you get to it. The pond you see is lovely also, with many rocks and flowers growing around it. Being more of a shaded area, its more subdued in general with its flowers.

Photo 4 - You will find very large rocks and trees in the garden as well. They really both have a great impact on the garden. You can see some of the dainty white flowers as well in front of the rock there.

Photo 5 - Here you can some of the water plants growing, some yellow irises, lots of rocks and part of the white bridge.

Photo 6 - Across from the white bridge in photo 5, you can see more of the same white material used to make the bridge and some ducks enjoying the pond. Who could blame them?

Photo 7 - Different view of the pond and beautiful pagoda.

Photo 8 - This shows the entrance circle, but on the backside of the entrance. I love the plants there, and this design which is both smooth and bold at the same time.

Photo 9 - If you can, imagine the sound of a bubbling brook as it cascades over rocks on its way down to the pond. This is just one more lovely area of the garden. There are so many large trees and shrubs around as well.

Photo 10 - A beautiful purple Siberian Iris plant. The details of this particular iris are stunning really. The design on its flower is very intricate and beautiful and lovely not to mention just the color.

Photo 11 &12 - More of the circular entrance and now exit as we are looking at it. You can see table and chairs made of rocks in photo 11, which has a very rustic and wonderful feel to it.

Photo 13 - A side window from the outside of the garden looking in. You can see some rocks, lots of bamboo growing and more. Very interesting design, nice and sleek an perfect for a shady area.

Photos 14 &15 - This is the entrance again, and the last one is the exit. I like this last photo # 15 because it gives some more of the detail and curve of the pagoda, and also shows a beautiful potted plant or tree that is growing in a very interesting way.

Comments

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Paula 5 years agofrom The Midwest, USA

Hello Julie, thank you very much for taking the time to look at my hub and photos. I wish you the very best in your own Chinese garden, and I think that is a wonderful idea. Thank you for your comment, I appreciate it. :)

Julie 5 years ago

I am looking for ideas to create my own chinese garden and really enjoyed the tour. Thanks x

Author

Paula 6 years agofrom The Midwest, USA

Aevans, that makes me so happy you say that! I love the serenity and beauty of that place, and I appreciate your visit and comment very much, thank you!

Denise, Thanks so much, I am drawn to serene things myself, so I hear you. Glad you stopped by!

Happyboomernurse, thank you very much, so happy you stopped by and I appreciate your comment as well. I am like you in that I have always been more familiar with Japanese gardens than Chinese, so it was a joy to learn more about them and share these thoughts and photos. Thanks for letting me know your favorite photos were too! :)

Gail Sobotkin 6 years agofrom South Carolina

Stunning tour. I've been to Japanese gardens which are also very serene but never to a Chinese garden. It was interesting learning about the differences between the two. Photos #2 and #3 were my favorites in this series.

Good luck in the contest. This is certainly a worthy entry. Voted up, useful, awesome, beautiful and interesting.

Denise Handlon 6 years agofrom North Carolina

Gorgeous photos. I agree with AEvans-serenity is the word for sure. To garden with the lay of the land: it is like feng shui gardening. Awesome-voted up.

Julianna 6 years agofrom SomeWhere Out There

Talk about serenity and beauty! The garden is beautiful! Makes me want to jump in the pic and take a long walk through Peace and elegance. :)

Author

Paula 6 years agofrom The Midwest, USA

Topnewhottoys, thank you for stopping by and for your comment, so happy to hear that. :)

Topnewhottoys 6 years agofrom Salisbury, Maryland

great photos - and you laid it out as such an enjoyable virtual tour - good job - thanks

Author

Paula 6 years agofrom The Midwest, USA

Thank you, SwiftFamily! I appreciate that very much!

Mary, many thanks!!

Mary Hyatt 6 years agofrom Florida

Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SwiftFamily 6 years agofrom Rayle, GA

great tour! thanks!

Author

Paula 6 years agofrom The Midwest, USA

Hi Mary, thank you very much for your comment and visit. Yes I did enter it, and so glad you enjoyed the hub! Its one of my favorite places to go.

Mary Hyatt 6 years agofrom Florida

I really enjoyed this photo tour of Chinese Gardens. It is beautifully done. Voted it UP, etc.etc. I sure hope you entered this one in the contest! It's great!